Controversial Yellow Box Junctions in Kingston: A Legal Compliance Debate
The Kingston Council has faced scrutiny over two yellow box junctions in south London, which have generated over £450,000 in just eight months. Despite concerns from residents and businesses, the council has ruled the junctions 'legally compliant'.
The junctions on Kingston Road, in New Malden, have been a topic of debate, with independent councillors James Giles, Yvonne Tracey, and Kamala Kugan requesting a meeting after data revealed a high number of penalty charge notices issued. The data showed that 6,568 PCNs were dished out to drivers, generating approximately £451,405, or around £2,000 per day.
The councillors argued that the junctions were operating as a 'cash cow' rather than a proportionate traffic measure. However, the council's report highlights the primary goal of improving road safety and traffic flow. The report also noted a decrease in fines issued over the last four financial years, indicating successful enforcement.
The council's officers recommended maintaining the junction layout while providing separate enforcement data for each junction to enhance transparency. The New and Old Malden Neighbourhood Committee will vote on these recommendations on January 22. The yellow boxes, operating since at least 2015, issue fines of £160 for drivers who stop in the yellow grid without a clear exit or waiting to turn right. Fines can be reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.
The council's report emphasizes the use of enforcement measures to ensure compliance with yellow boxes, aiming to improve traffic flow and road safety. It proposes keeping the junctions under review without making any changes, and any extra income from enforcement must be allocated for specific purposes, including highways maintenance. The councillors will discuss the junctions at the January 22 meeting, sparking a debate on the balance between revenue generation and road safety.
